Nick held a debate on the future funding of supported housing on 12 April 2016.

In the debate Nick raised the potential impacts of Government cuts to housing benefit on those in supported housing.

Supported housing is housing which is provided to vulnerable people who need extra care in order to life independent and happy lives. Under Government proposals funding for this could be cut and many supported housings schemes could close, risking increased homelessness.

Nick called for supported housing to be exempt from the cuts, however the Government did not commit to this.

The debate was well attended with MP’s from a range of political parties present. You can read the full debate here.

Nick spoke at the Memorial Service for Jaap Kroese in January, who in 1993 helped to save Swan Hunter shipyard by bringing it out of receivership and in doing so safeguarded thousands of jobs in the East End of Newcastle and Wallsend. Jaap sadly passed away on the 29th December. The event at Wallsend Town Hall was heavily attended – a testament to the level of respect, gratitude and affection the community here held for him.

Nick attended the Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Fix Dementia Care’ Event in Parliament. The Alzheimer’s Society is calling for the best quality hospital care for those living with this debilitating condition and to ensure high standards of care are maintained across the country. Nick added his name to the Fix Dementia Care campaign at the event.

There are concerns that further cuts to local government will result in a reduction in care for dementia sufferers. Nick has already raised the issue with Newcastle City Council.

Nick with Kate Edwards, CEO of Seven Stories and Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair of the Arts Council England

Nick hosted a reception in Parliament celebrating the 10th anniversary of Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books which is based in the Newcastle East constituency.

Seven Stories has built a comprehensive children’s literature archive from the 1930s to the present day. As well as storing children’s books Seven Stories also shares children’s literature through open days and activities with local children as well as taking their exhibitions around the country. These have been seen by more than 1.4 million people.

The event was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Seven Stories and hear from those who have contributed to its success.

Nick has called for a ‘No’ option to be included in a future mayoral poll after the Chancellor signed two devolution deals for the north-east of England.

The inclusion of a ‘No’ option allows the people of the North East to decide whether they want a mayor, having rejected the idea in a referendum in 2012. Nick has also criticised the Government’s plans as “a lot of talk and no effective action.”

“The power to borrow more money and to tax ourselves more isn’t what is needed to solve the problems that the region faces — above all, the need to stimulate private sector investment in the north-east of England.”

Nick has asked a number of questions in Parliament on this which you can see here

Nick has raised a number of questions about the effectiveness of the Government's North East deal

Nick attended the inaugural meeting to re-found the All Party Parliamentary Group for West Papua.

Nick meets Benny Wenda in Parliament

The meeting heard from campaign organisers, as well as Benny Wenda, International Spokesman for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

The current efforts of the campaign are focusing on West Papua’s recognition status within the Melanesian Spearhead Group and interaction with the Pacific Island Forum, as well as efforts at the UN General Assembly.

Nick hosted the 3rd Annual Speedway reception in Parliament on 4 November 2015.

This is the 3rd year in a row the event has been held since Nick and other supportive MP’s set up the All Party Parliamentary Group for Speedway in 2013. Nick is the chair of the All Party group in Parliament.

It was a chance for the Speedway world to celebrate the end of the 2015 season and to recognise notable contributors to the sport over the last year.

Nick is a regular visitor to watch the Newcastle Diamonds race at Brough Park in Byker.

Nick hosts the All Party Parliamentary Group for Speedway reception in Parliament

Nick took part in welcoming the Japanese Ambassador to the North East, where he visited the Port of Tyne and spoke at the North East Economic Forum.

The events celebrated Japanese manufacturing in the North East, including Nissan and Hitachi.

Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Japan's Ambassador to the UK, addressing the North East Economic Forum.

The ambassador spoke of how Japanese investment represents a firm and long-term commitment to the Region. This commitment began as far back as 1862, when 12 Japanese Ambassadors visited Newcastle to find out about manufacturing processes during the industrial revolution.